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The best locations for sunset watching in Bali include the collection of main beaches along the western coastline. Some of these spots feature several temple landmarks that add an exotic silhouette to the dramatic postcard pictures that will stay in your lasting memory. Some beaches offer unobstructed sea and sky panoramas with fiery streaks of cloud layers, while others have the lone golden disc behind tiered shrines. Such sights are simply not to be missed in Bali.

While you can easily head down to any spot on the island’s west coast, we’ve gathered here the 10 best places for sunsets in Bali, where you can witness such picture-perfect moments. Besides moments of skies turning vivid crimson together with the sinking of the majestic fireball, you will also enjoy some of the most dramatic scenes during the so-called ‘blue hour’ – right after the sun sinks over the horizon, as the sky turns purple and cobalt blue, then a star-studded black.

As one of the most important temple landmarks in Bali, Tanah Lot Temple is undeniably the island’s most famous sunset icon. The offshore setting of an ancient Hindu shrine complex that is perched on top of a rocky outcrop, with large waves crashing at its base, is best with the golden disc slowly descending behind the tiered roofs. The temple transforms into a unique silhouette against the golden colours of the sky Read More...

The Rock Bar is one of the go-to places in Bali for a refined bar scene, with great cocktails and a truly exotic setting. The bar is set on a rock formation at the cliff base of the Ayana Resort and Spa Bali, and is adjacent the resort’s free-form ocean beach pool. The cliff face near the bar features a remarkable natural feature, sparkling with a quartz-like surface. Get down and order your cocktail and enjoy your most memorable chill outs with the vast ocean and sky as backdrop. Read More...

Just a few kilometres north of Rock Bar and along the same cliff-fringed coast is Tegalwangi Beach, which is often considered one of Bali’s ‘hidden beaches’. You can pick a spot near the edge of the towering cliff overlooking the vast Indian Ocean below, or go down a rocky staircase towards the sandy beach. Consider it the public and accessible version of Ayana Resort – bring your own drinks and chill out with the wonderful sunset and ocean view. Read More...

As one of the island’s six key temples, Uluwatu Temple shares slight similarity to the allure of Tanah Lot, with its exotic temple shrine silhouette against a vast sky and ocean backdrop. The temple looms 70 metres above the cliff base and there are several spots around the temple, including an open-air amphitheatre nearby, where you can watch a Kecak ‘fire dance’ against the setting sun. Grey long-tailed macaques on high walls occasionally pose for your shots for free. Read More...

One of the main beaches in Seminyak, Petitenget features a great stretch of sand and rolling waves. The special aspect of Petitenget is the mix of choices it offers. A significant temple is nearby; you can enjoy a sunset dinner at the fine restaurants on the coast, such as La Lucciola; or you can chill out at great beach clubs, such as Ku De Ta, Potato Head, and WooBar. Alternatively, you can simply sit on the sand and admire wonderful sun-downing moments. Read More...

One of the pioneering beach resort areas on Bali’s south-western coastline, Kuta still attracts a mix of travellers as it offers something for everyone. The main draws remain the sand, surf and sunsets. Despite the crowd, you can easily hop off the footpath and find a good spot on the beach in time for sunset. The various activities and interactions of peddlers, visitors and surfers around you add a special ambiance that is uniquely ‘Kuta’. Read More...

Jimbaran Bay, locally known as ‘Pantai Muaya’, is where seafood dining and sunsets combine perfectly with a great sea panorama. The collection of 17 beach restaurants joined together in a single cluster is a must-do on most visitors’ lists. To the left of the curving bay is the low-lying hill speckled with the villas of the Four Seasons Resort, and nearby is Sundara, a fine dining and chill-out spot for those with a penchant for luxury. To the far right is Ngurah Rai’s landing strip. Right ahead, in between, is the gorgeous combination of sand, surf, sky and sunset. Read More...

Up in North Bali, Lovina Beach is a 2km stretch of black sand with calm waves. Sunsets in Lovina are exceptional – smooth waves reflect the setting sun and traditional Balinese outrigger fishing boats on the horizon add a picturesque feature. The rather tame nightlife scene goes with the calmness of the coast. There are hotels on the beach with restaurants and bars providing sunset views, while others are high on the hills, overlooking the bay. Read More...

One of Bali’s favourite surfing beaches, Echo Beach, also known as ‘Pantai Batu Mejan’ after the namesake onsite sea temple, offers 180-degree views of the ocean and rolling surf. If wave riding isn’t your thing, then hit a spot at one of the great seafood cafés that provide high views over the action. Come sunset time, the barbecues start to billow and surfers ride in to end the day with a cool drink. Read More...

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Lembongan Island

One of the closest island retreats off the Bali mainland, Nusa Lembongan’s main beach - Jungut Batu – is west-facing and features a gorgeous stretch of white sand. Nearby is a hilly area that has now developed into an upmarket villa accommodation neighbourhood. From down at the beach or up on the hill, you get wonderful views of the sun setting behind the silhouette of Bali’s Mount Agung on the horizon.